As you probably know, I am a huge fan of the Vitamix blender. You’ll see it here on the site, on my TV segements, and in all my actor’s trailers in movie sets. While it is a little more expensive than some other blenders, the payoff as far as performance and durability is well worth the price. Originally, I set out to compare Vitamix to several other blenders on the market, but what I discovered is that there really is only one competitor that functions similarly for the foods we make in The Beauty Detox Solution, including the Glowing Green Smoothie. If you’ve ever tried to make your GGS in a traditional kitchen blender such as an Oyster or a Kitchen Aid, chances are you’ve been a little disappointed with the texture of your smoothie. Regular kitchen blenders just can’t create the silky GGS that the Vitamix does. I’ve had many people ask me if Vitamix has any competition. After a great deal of research, I’ve discovered that there is one blender that does function similarly to the Vitamix: the Blendtec blender.

This strong blender is a kitchen workhorse similar to the Vitamix, and it costs about the same. Let’s take a look at a head to head comparison of the two products. Both blenders do well at blending smoothies, with some key differences: The Vitamix blender has jars in varying capacities from 32 oz. to 64 oz., while Blendtec offers 64 and 96 oz. varieties. The difference, however, is in the jar’s actual blending capacity. Vitamix’s 64 oz. jar can be filled to the brim, and you can use the blender when the jar is at full capacity with the same results as if it were only at half full. Blendtec, on the other hand, suggests filling the jar only half full for optimal blending. So while they have a 64 oz. sized jar, its blending capacity is about 32 oz., and the 96 oz. jar can only blend about 48 oz. Both blenders perform quite well when dry grinding grains into flour. Vitamix takes the process a step further, however, offering an optional dry grains container ($144). When you compare grinding of Vitamix’s regular container and Blendtec’s blender, the two both do a workmanlike job of grinding grains.

If you’d like even finer milling, however, Vitamix sells the dry grains container which makes a very fine flour quite quickly without taxing the motor. breville blend active family asdaBlendtec offers a separate product, the Kitchen Mill ($179.95).blender kielichowy kitchenaid One of the big differences between these two products is speed and power control. kenwood triblade hand blender hb714 reviewWhile Blendtec draws a little more power, both can perform the same type of blending with similar results in the same amount of time.magic bullet mixer blokker Blendtec has a smaller RPM range than Vitamix, meaning you have less precise control and a lower top-end with the Blendtec. vitamix costco roadshow recipes

Vitamix accomplishes its speed control via a manual dial plus a high low switch, meaning that you can gradually ramp up the blending power from 500 RPM all the way up to its top end of 37,000 RPM by slowly turning up the dial. hamilton beach wave crusher 8 speed blender with wave-action systemThis allows for much smaller increments of power ramp up than the Blendtec. tribest personal blender 350 australiaAdditionally, Vitamix allows you to blend for the length of time you wish. Blendtec uses 10 buttons plus a pulse button, and some models have pre-programmed controls that perform it automatically for you so you can push a button and walk away. Blendtec blenders automatically shut off after 50 seconds, so some smoothies and other recipes may require returning to the blender and restarting it.

Blendtec’s RPM range is much smaller, ranging from 4,080 to 28,000 RPM. I prefer the dial control of the Vitamix because it is entirely manual, allowing me to blend at the speeds I want, increase RPM at my own pace, and blend as long as I need. It allows me to have better control over my recipes. All Vitamix blenders come standard with the tamper, which allows you to push ingredients towards the blade without stopping the blender. Blendtec’s solution to this is an optional twister jar ($129). As you blend, you turn the twister jar’s lid counterclockwise, and it scrapes down the blender, pushing ingredients back to the blade. Both blenders clean up in the same manner – put a little warm soapy water in the bowl and blend. There’s no doubt the Vitamix is bigger and sturdier than the Blendtec; however, it does have a low-profile jar option to fit under your cupboards. Blenders are noisy, but the Vitamix wins in this category. It is quieter than the Blendtec.

Both of these blenders are kitchen workhorses that blow any other blender out of the water. That said, I prefer the Vitamix to the Blendtec because it is more versatile and allows for better manual control. The 5200 Standard Model is great. I personally don’t like the models where it lists “smoothies” and “soups” as a dial; I’d rather control my recipes with my own intuition. There is a reason that the Vitamix is the industry standard- go into any high end restaurant kitchen, watch any cooking show, or go to any culinary institute and overwhelmingly the blender you will find is the Vitamix. It is the one I have all my clients buy. To get the best Glowing Green Smoothie the way I intended them, be sure to get a Vitamix. If they are out of your price range, check out the refurbished section for returned models which are usually as good and more inexpensive. If you put away $150/month (buy a few less items of clothing a month!), you will be able to get your Vitamix in only a few months’ time.